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As we move through the years, many of us end up in front-facing jobs, whether that's at a restaurant, or in retail, or in some other capacity. But few people have to work in an environment where the quality of a customer's experience hinges on a ton of things going just right, potentially for consecutive days or weeks at a time. Today's guest is a manager at a global hotel chain, and his insight into the workings of a hotel (and the many challenges they face) offers an awesome glimpse into the world of the business and leisure traveler alike, and the challenges the hospitality industry faces in meeting the demand, and keeping that demand from slipping through their fingers in an ever-competitive (and cheapening) market.

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Jordan Gagliano

Great episode, really enjoyed the topic. Keep up the good work Colin!

Anonymous

My girlfriend works front desk at a hotel and this was the first Fireside Chat she asked me to play specifically so she could listen. Keep the random topics coming.

Marcus Brown

Funny story: I'm listening to this while I walk home from work and when you mentioned cabs one literally drove past me! Hahaha and I'm in Washington. Great episode as always.

Magister Obscura

This was fascinating, keep up the great work!

Simon Payne

Thanks for the Washington love! I've lived in Washington my entire life. Quick story, over the summer I went to Minneapolis, Minnesota for a music festival.(my first time ever leaving washington) I burnt the f**k out of my eyes. I felt like a drow elf that had lived in a tunnel his entire life, and had just seen the power of the sun for the first time. Everyone in Minnesota was so nice. It was a weird culture shock even though it's not really that far away from my home state. Loved the podcast.

tejotl

As a new Patreon it is fascinating to discover podcasts you're releasing Colin. I work in services and had a chance to go from Customer Service to leading number of teams across Europe and it was great to hear a very similar approach from Hospitality sector. Really strong ending of the podcast! Thx guys!

Anonymous

Tipping has always been weird to me. I worked as a chef for 8 years and tipping is one of the reasons i made less money. I live in BC Canada and there is no such thing as a tipping wage so the servers would make minimum. So the way they deal with that is to pay the chef and cooks less. When you think about tipping its odd. Why do we have to pay people extra to do the job they are being paid to do? I know where you are coming from about hotel workers fishing for tips. Even though it isn't direct it certainly is implied that you tip people for every little thing they do for you. Feels like to me everyone is only being nice to get tips. Just wanted to let you know you aren't the only one who feels weird having to tip people for such menial tasks like carrying a light bag.

Ryan T. Mandle

Nothing like sitting down to eat breakfast and hearing about a room covered in poop. Crazy story!

BettyAnn Moriarty

Such an informative episode. I loved it! The story of the ‘poop’ was sickening but I imagine that this sort of thing happens more often thea we want to think. And I too feel weird with having to tip, although I think it’s important to do this for housekeeping personnel in particular. They have a really hard job. Thanks Brian and Colin, for a great, honest discussion. 👏🏻😉

LastStandMedia

Yeah. Like, I know enough people in the restaurant and bar industry (one of my best friends is a James Beard-nominated bar owner) to know that tipping is important when you have repeat interaction with someone, like a bartender or server. I have no issue with that. That's part of the transaction in a restaurant or bar. But when I'm getting out of my Uber and you're up in my face trying to move my bags, no. Sorry. And tipping the maids? I know people do that... but like... when does it stop? I honest to God didn't even know people did that until I was like 30, and by that point, I had already been all over the world. So. I dunno.

LastStandMedia

Thanks for listening, ma! As I said, I didn't even know anyone tipped maids until a few years ago, and by that point, I had stayed in like 500 hotels. LOL.

Brian Dewire

Thanks BettyAnn! It was a real treat to be on the show.... glad you enjoyed listening.

Andrew

Really enjoyed this podcast, I've worked in the retail industry most of my life.... The shit (both figuratively and literally) that people have to deal with within the retail industry is so under appreciated.

Matthew Perry

Have been a head chef now for 15 years and have been involved in many hotels since then , was really cool to hear from someone In the industry and relate to there story's :-) awesome fireside chat and hope you keep doing them as it's becoming my favourite part of being a CLS supporter !!

LastStandMedia

Thank you for listening! Fireside Chats will continue as long as I can continue to find interesting people to chat with. =)

Korey Burns

I'm super late to this episode, but I wanted to stay thank you for the informative episode! My wife is a chef and has thought about going the resort/hotel route for culinary. Fascinating to hear the inner workings of hotel and hospitality services.

Anonymous

I worked in a hotel for a little while back in 2001. I did generally find the interactions with customers to be a bit better than most of the other public facing jobs I've held in my life.